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50375
USB Soundblaster MP3 - D800 purchased in May '03
I consider myself a pretty advanced user for one. I bought the USB Soundblaster MP3 unit (http://www.soundblaster.com/products/MP3+/) for the purpose of being able to utilize live monitoring (something not available on Dell's SigmaTel Audio sound cards) in CoolEdit Pro 2.0 when recording. Creative's tech support email responded within several hours (on a weekend no less), but so far their methods haven't yielded a solution. Here's what they suggested along with my original problem description:
Problem:
#1. When I connect the USB soundblaster, XP Professional recognizes
the hardware immediately as USB Audio, then says USB
Composite Device but says 'A problem occured during
hardware installation. Your hardware might not work
properly'.
#2. The blue LED light on the top of it won't turn on
continuously when I connect it, instead just flashing several
times for less than one second.
#3. When I go to the device manager, it lists the 'USB
Composite Device' as not working properly. Status: 'This
device cannot start (Code 10). '
#4. I've installed, uninstalled, re-installed the software and
drivers provided on the installation CD to no avail. I have
tried everything I can think of...'Updating the driver' from
within the device manager...disabling my current SigmaTel
Audio notebook soundcard....everything. Very frustrating...
Creative response:
Please try the USB sound card connected directly to each of the USB
ports on the system. Also, unplug all other USB device while
troubleshooting this problem. Some laptops will not supply enough power
to the USB ports to power multiple devices. If you continue to have the
problem, please check with Dell to see that you have the latest drivers
or patches for the motherboard drivers or BIOS. Laptops will often have
updates that directly address issues with the USB ports or controllers.
You should also close all other applications, including antivirus
programs, while installing the USB sound card drivers.
DELL-Rance
298 Posts
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August 11th, 2003 13:00
chaosphere:
Have you tried an external powered USB hub as suggested by Creative Labs?
Prutser
3 Posts
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September 14th, 2003 08:00
Hi Chaosphere,
I have EXACTLY the same problem with my creative blaster mp3+ when I connect it to my Acer Travelmate 800LCi (intel centino chipset). The device works ok when I connect it to my Dell Dimension 4100 (using the same WinXP version and creative drivers).
How is your blaster mp3+ doing? Did you get it to work already?
I can imagine that the USB driver denies the mp3+ device sufficient power (it seems to request 500mA). Unfortunatly Acer did not publish any new USB drivers or firmware update.
Regards,
Prutser
Prutser
3 Posts
0
September 21st, 2003 16:00
An extra USB HUB does help but the mp3+ doesn't work with just any HUB.
I went to some computer stores and tested the mp3+ with the following external USB HUBs:
The last HUB is the one I bought. So I had to invest another 15 euros to get the **** thing working cause neither Acer nor Creative could help me. Since the mp3+ device does not work on Dell D800, Acer TravelMate 800 notebooks and Sitecom USB 2.0 HUB ports, my conclusion is that Creative is to blame. It's probably a USB incompatiblilty problem that Creative is not willing to admit.
I have hidden the mp3+ and Sweex HUB in the back of my HiFi cabinet. This way I can quickly forget the aggravation and just enjoy the clear digital 5.1 sound from the optical output.
chaosphere
5 Posts
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September 21st, 2003 17:00
Prutser
3 Posts
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September 25th, 2003 18:00
I have read somewhere in the installation manual that you should check your IDE drives for having the DMA option enabled to avoid audio interruptions. This probably won't help you but I mention it just in case.
I don't want to make you jealous but my MP3+ is working perfectly now :-). Even when I play a DVD directly from the DVD drive.
Wojta
2 Posts
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October 1st, 2003 08:00
Hi Chaosphere,
I have exactly the same problem with my notebook Acer TM420 and SB mp3+.
So far I Haven't got any response from neither Acer or Creative. Is there another solution apart from buying external USB Hub?
Thanks Wojta
astenback
13 Posts
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October 13th, 2003 23:00
I have the EXACT same situation here with a new Inspiron 8600. The card is properly detected and works fine when plugging it into my desktop, but not the laptop. I refuse to try the hub option, that defeats the purpose of a mobile USB audio interface.
Are there any BIOS updates, etc. for the Inspiron 8600 from Dell that might address this? If not, I guess this card is going back to the store.
Thanks.
astenback
13 Posts
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October 16th, 2003 15:00
Okay, I broke down and purchased an AC powered Belken USB hub and the SoundBlaster MP3+ works like a charm. No problems with CD/DVD playback either.
studleylee
8 Posts
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October 18th, 2003 18:00
I just bought the MP3+ also and hav ethe issue with the Inspiron 8500 widescreen version. that BS.. Crarp -rap about having to us a hub. Sounds like Dell screwed up in the USB interface
as well as wasting the audio inputs on the exitisting CODEC already on board the laptop the pins are there, all they had to do was hook it up. Idiots!!! Looks like I'm going to get a hub too.
I love the standard teck support answer above( and believe me I know, I did tech short stints in support over the years for Intersil and Microchip ) and that is a brainless boiler plate response
from guys so far removed from the design process its not funny. They end up not getting anymore input as you and I and have to beg from contacts within the org to answer the questions, or
makeup a stall tactic like this.
studleylee
8 Posts
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October 19th, 2003 04:00
chaosphere
5 Posts
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October 19th, 2003 06:00
studleylee
8 Posts
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October 20th, 2003 16:00
I'll try it tonight and let you know.
ps did you check in control panels to make sure your harddrive is using DMA? This could make a difference. -Lee
chaosphere
5 Posts
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October 20th, 2003 20:00
studleylee
8 Posts
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October 21st, 2003 02:00
Hi chaosphere , DVD audio fine! No stuttering or skips. Goto Start->Control Panel->(on left side)Switch to Classic View->System->hardware(tab)->device manger(button), then look down the list and
you'll see IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers( or similar) double click on the IDE controllers and goto advanced tab, there should be some setting to auto select DMA or select it.
Hope this helps! -Lee
chaosphere
5 Posts
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October 21st, 2003 15:00
Ok, here's what my 'advanced settings' look like for the primary and secondary IDE channels
http://members.ll.net/kjlewis/DMAsettings.jpg